Mercedes has had a mixed run in recent races, but the Brackley-based team came into the United States Grand Prix weekend with a renewed sense of optimism. After a rough stretch following their triumphant run from Austria to Belgium, where they notched up three wins, Mercedes brought a series of crucial upgrades to their W15 in hopes of regaining their competitive edge.
And it seems to have paid off—at least for George Russell, who managed to secure a stunning front-row start for Saturday’s Sprint race, finishing a mere 0.012 seconds behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen. Russell, surprised by his performance, was delighted with his team’s progress, particularly given how close the competition has become between Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren.
“It’s been a while since we qualified on the front row, so this feels great,” said Russell, clearly buzzing from his performance. “The upgrade kit is working better than we expected, and that final sector really helped us secure P2.”
Russell also expressed empathy for teammate Lewis Hamilton, who looked set to challenge for pole but was thwarted by a yellow flag in SQ3 that forced him to back off. “It’s a shame Lewis couldn’t join me at the front,” Russell said. “He was flying today, and we both should have been right up there together.”
Hamilton: “P1 Was in Sight Until the Yellow Flags”
For Lewis Hamilton, Friday’s Sprint Qualifying was a bitter pill to swallow. The seven-time world champion was on a blistering lap in SQ3, four-tenths of a second up, and on pace for pole position. But a yellow flag brought his lap to a halt, leaving him frustrated with a seventh-place start.
“It’s frustrating, for sure,” Hamilton said after the session. “I was feeling great on that lap, and P1 was definitely within reach. But that’s racing—sometimes the timing just doesn’t go your way.”
Despite his disappointment, Hamilton was quick to acknowledge the team’s progress and express gratitude for the recent upgrades that appear to have given Mercedes a much-needed boost. “The upgrade package is a big step forward. It’s clear we’ve made progress, and I’m really grateful to the entire team for their hard work,” he added.
Mercedes’ Resurgence: A New Threat in the Title Race?
The upgrades to the W15 appear to have put Mercedes back in contention, and both drivers believe they have the potential to challenge at the front. The updates, focusing primarily on aerodynamic improvements, seem to have paid immediate dividends as Russell outqualified the Ferraris and McLarens—two teams that have been stiff competition in recent races.
With Russell starting from P2 and Hamilton eager to fight his way through the pack, the Mercedes duo will be ones to watch in both the Sprint race and Sunday’s main event. But with only six races left in the 2024 season, the pressure is mounting on the team to convert this newfound pace into podiums, if not wins.
As the drivers gear up for Saturday’s Sprint, all eyes will be on whether Mercedes can maintain this form, and more importantly, whether they can carry this momentum through to the full race weekend. Max Verstappen may have pole for now, but with Russell right beside him and Hamilton lurking in the midfield, the battle in Austin is far from over.
